When first run following its installation, RayTech Planner / RNS 6.x will request the operator to specify whether they have a Full RayTech RNS 6.x License Key, a RayTech RNS 6.x Upgrade License Key (used to upgrade from RayTech RNS 5 to RayTech RNS 6.x, or No License Key (used by those utilizing RayTech RNS 6.x software for offline (i.e. not networked to Raymarine products) planning. Fully licensed refers to having separately purchased RayTech software as a boxed product or having purchased it via Raymarine's web site. When purchased as a boxed product, a license key label will have been affixed to the outside of the clear plastic sleeve containing the RayTech RNS 6.x installation CD as well as to inside cover of the RayTech RNS 6.x User's Guide. Customers who have purchased RayTech RNS 6.2 software via the Raymarine's web site will be e-mailed a license key.

Before loading RayTech software any prior releases of RayTech software should be uninstalled. Following installation, RayTech Planner is started via the command sequence START->ALL PROGRAMS->RAYMARINE RAYTECH NAVIGATOR. When initially running RayTech Planner 6.x, the RNS Startup Wizard will prompt the user for whether they have a Full RayTech RNS 6.x license, RayTech RNS 6.x Upgrade license, or will be using the product as RayTech Planner (no license). Customers who have downloaded RayTech Planner 6.x from Raymarine's web site, have received a RayTech Planner 6.x CD in the Multifunction Display package, or have received a RayTech Planner 6.x CD with the Navionics Multicard Reader should choose the RayTech Planner (No License) option.

RayTech Planner 6.x software is not supplied with detailed cartography. However, RayTech software is compatible with BSB v3.0-v4.0 formatted raster cartography (ex. NOAA RNCs, Maptech, NDI, etc.), Navionics Gold+, Platinum, HotMaps, and C-Map NT+/PC cartography. Should one be interested in utilizing one's Navionics CF chart card with the PC, it would have been necessary to have purchased the retired E86026 Navionics Multicard Reader ... this reader is no longer available. Should you have a Navionics microSD chart card or have a MFD featuring pre-loaded Navionics Silver cartography, then it would be recommended that you consider using other compatible cartography or Voyage Planner PC software for waypoint/route planning. The Navionics Multicard Reader may also be used to export one's waypoints and routes to a compatible SanDisk brand CF memory card to transport the waypoints and routes to the Multifunction Display.

Should you desire to integrate your PC with your marine electronics, then a fully licensed copy of RayTech RNS 6.2 software would be required. SeaTalkhs (Ethernet) integration is limited to G-Series systems running early software releases, E-Series Classic MFDs, and C-Series Widescreen MFDs. E-Series Widescreen MFDs as well as the new a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDs would be limited to either first generation SeaTalk (via an E85001 PC/SeaTalk/NMEA 0183 Interface Module) or NMEA 0183 integration with RayTech software. RayTech RNS 6.1 software is recommended for use with E-Series Classic MFDs and RayTech RNS 6.2 is recommended for use with C-Series Widescreen MFDs.

RayTech Planner's Simulator cannot be turned off, as doing so would permit instrument communications which is limited to the fully licensed version of RayTech RNS 6.x software. Planning Mode (also known as Simulate Mode) is the correct operational mode for RayTech software when planning waypoints and routes offline. When using RayTech Planner or RayTech RNS 6.2 in Planning Mode (i.e. Chart page/pane specifies "Raytech Simulate Mode"), one may reposition the simulated vessel to reduce clutter. However before doing so, you may want to disable the Auto Follow Routes and Auto Position Vessel features via the following command sequences:

ROUTE->FOLLOW ROUTE (uncheck this item if checked)
FILE->SETUP->INSTRUMENTS->SIMULATOR IS ON->AUTO FOLLOW ROUTES->OFF
FILE->SETUP->INSTRUMENTS->SIMULATOR IS ON->AUTO POSITION VESSEL->OFF
Note that RayTech must be restarted after making these changes.

The boat icon may be repositioned to any desired location by performing a right mouse click on the desired location on chart and then selecting MOVE BOAT HERE from the pop-up menu that is displayed.

RayTech Planner is essentially an unlicensed copy RayTech RNS 6.x intended to support at home PC based waypoint / route planning. Raymarine did not release a RayTech Planner 6.x User's Guide. However, as the RayTech RNS 6.2 User's Guide covers not only the features of RayTech RNS 6.2, but also those permissible within RayTech Planner 6.1/6.2. RayTech Planner users should refer to the RayTech RNS 6.2 User's Guide for information concerning the use of RayTech Planner 6.1/6.2. When using the RayTech RNS 6.2 User's Guide, RayTech Planner 6.2 users should focus on chapters 1 thru 9, 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, and appendices A & E. RayTech Planner also features embedded Help documentation (Help->Help Topics) as another source of program documentation.

Please note that RayTech software does not support transferring tracks to/from Raymarine products.

The waypoint file format used by Raymarine and most other marine electronics manufacturer is uniquely proprietary. You may want to look at the data formats supported by GPSUtility. Should GPSUtility support the format of your current chartplotter or navigational software applications, then GPSUtility may be used to create a Raymarine waypoint file. Once imported into the RayTech software, then the RayTech software may be used to export the data to a file in a format which is compatible with Raymarine’s currently supported products.

As you will learn from reviewing the RayTech RNS 6.2 User's Guide, RayTech software supports exporting waypoints to an Excel spreadsheet which has been specially formatted for use by the RayTech software. This feature may prove very useful to those who desire to review large amounts of waypoint data, print their waypoint data, or make modifications to large amounts of waypoint data (ex. symbol, group, etc.).

RayTech Planner / RNS 6.x software is not supported for use with Windows 10, as Windows 10 has been found to not be compatible with the E86026 Navionics Multicard Reader.

UPDATE: Raymarine has ceased sales of Voyage Planner software through Raymarine's Charts Store and through its dealers. A limited number of boxed copies of the Raymarine Voyager Planner software may be found within dealer inventories. While Raymarine has not yet announced a replacement planning application, it is quite possible that Raymarine may do so in the future. At this time, Navionics is recommending Navigation Planner PC planning software for its customers. Navigation Planner features support for Raymarine product and their waypoint symbol sets.